Maeve, I can't thank you enough for the exquisite music & stunning images. They chime perfectly with our mood today.

It never ceases to amaze me how a solo instrument can evoke such depth of feeling. A bravura performance by a true master.

A sincere thank you to everyone who will be 'with us' today. It is a fine, sunny, spring day here in London. A little later, Ann & I will drive to the seaside to have lunch at our favourite restaurant. Top of the 'menu' will be memories of Jane...an opportunity to reflect on what was & not dwell on the 'what might have beens'. With Love to You All, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxxx

Nigel, I will be thinking of you and Ann tomorrow and holding you both in my heart. My dad passed away suddenly in 2008 and I still miss him every day. Time eventually rounds the sharp edges off the pain, leaving us with the memories. We'll always miss them, but as long as we keep their memories in our hearts, they never really leave us.

Tomorrow, 23rd March marks the second year of our Darling Jane's passing. She left her earthly body, quietly & peacefully, surrounded by her Family. Be with us tomorrow...the pain of her loss has eased a little, but an un-fillable void remains. It has been said that: "You never forget, you just learn how to live with it". I think that is largely true. With Love to You All, Nigel & Ann. xxx

Thanks again. Suit and tie put away. By the looks of some of my relatives (Mum's side), it won't be there all that long. Uncle Reg was a nice guy. Joined the navy before high school graduation and sailed the day after. I had a sniffle when I hugged aunt* Dora but, when the vets honour guard played taps it was tissue time. Same for others.

Tami, I'm sorry your niece is going through this. I'm glad she has the support of an aunt like you. As a fat, pimply, bookworm with few social skills, I endured bullying. My son, who was more interested in the arts than all the seasonal youth sports his classmates participated in, was bullied, too. He told me about it. His attitude was that he could handle it better than some others that he knew, and he knew he had my love and support. I told nobody about my experiences. Both my parents had been popular kids and I feared they would think I had somehow brought it upon myself. (I was probably wrong about that.) I didn't want to be a disappointment to them. Even though I never told them, I knew they loved me. If, like my son and I, your niece will eventually (though not soon enough) go to a school that merges with another, she is likely to meet members of her own "tribe," who are also unique.

The cyber-bullying era certainly adds a new, nasty layer to all of this.

A couple of days ago, one of the youngest nieces turned 11. She got a spiffy new haircut, and off to school she went. Where a bunch of kids then proceeded to ridicule and bully her. I hate that. Not just because she's one of my nieces, but because no one deserves to be treated like that. I went through that crap at her age, too, but at least social media and cyber bullying didn't exist then. Sophie is an incredibly cool kid: she's smart, athletic, an excellent cook, and very creative. She designed a working mermaid tail that she can wear swimming. And one of the many things I love about her is her uniqueness. Unfortunately, that makes her a target for the other kids. I sat down and wrote her a letter last night telling her all the things I value about her and that, even though it seems an eternity away, things will get better and that I went through many of the same things she is going through. I also offered to be there if she needs to talk.

Next week we will hitch up our little caravan and make the long drive to Canberra to attend the Ozzie National Folk Festival and to visit with with our older son Stephen The Drummer, DIL Carly The French Horn Player and our grandkid Euan The Wonder Kid who live in Canberra. We haven't seen them since just after new year when Euan was only two weeks old, he'll probably be walking and talking now......children these days are very advanced, aren't they.

Nigel... fulsome? Wellll, not quite. It has Mum and Aunt Charmaine in a tither*. Flowers or not? Specific charity or not? Mum thinks he is being cremated because the name of the place has such in it. I didn't try to tell her that this conclusion is unsupported in logic as it would simply add to the tither. I also know Mum will not be able physically be able to do the whole two hours but I shall not bring that up until Saturday morning because that can of worms will open the next onesss... is there a family gathering afterward? where might it be? who might be invited?... etcetera. I do have a backup plan. "The son" gets in town tonight so I will call him on the morrow with questions.

Thanks all for the condolences. Youse are a great crew.

BTW... I know Reg is looking down and saying, "What a bunch of bullshit. This isn't any fun for me. Funeral? Have a party or I am leaving. I have better things to do."

My Dear Gnu, It's times like this when the geography really does get in the way...very frustrating that I can't be with you on March 21st. Much Love & Sincere Condolences from myself & Ann. Thank you very much for posting such a fulsome obituary. We now have much more than just a name. We will be holding you & your Family in our thoughts on Saturday, Love & Hugs, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxxxx

Reg... always liked Uncle Reg. Nice guy. Loved to laugh. And, he could tease... I'll miss him. Mum is shaken but we all knew it was coming. In the very end, it was mercifully swift and painless due to heavy doses of morphine (a drug seldom administered hereaboutst these days even in such cases). The next few days, as have been the past days, will be hard on Mum as her health is waning but she will be the same strong woman she has always been and take it in her usual gallant stride... she is a rock.

Reginald J. LeBlanc

1924-2015

Reginald J. LeBlanc

Reginald Joseph LeBlanc, 90, of Moncton passed away on Tuesday March 17, 2015 at the Veteran's Health Centre. Born on November 13, 1924 in Moncton, he was the son of the late Edgar and Hélène (Melanson) LeBlanc.

Reginald served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and was employed for 35 years with the Department of National Defence at No. 5 Supply Depot located in Moncton.

He is survived by his wife for 69 years, Dora (née Martin); two daughters: Patricia Bernier (Paul) of Montreal, QC, and Jeannine King of Moncton; two sons: Paul (Giselle Melanson) of Dieppe and Donald (Marjolaine Samson) of Montreal, QC; four sisters: Violet Corbett (Vern) of Victoria, BC, Dora Owens (Bill) of Moncton, Charmaine LeBlanc of Moncton, and Ida Severen (Ted) of Saint John, NB; two brothers: Roy (Therese) of Moncton and Laury (Therese) of Massachusetts; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters: Lorraine LeBlanc and Angela Richard.

The family will receive condolences at Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, 88 Church Street, Moncton (858-1900) from where the funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday March 21, 2015 at 11 am. Visiting hours Saturday from 10 am until time of funeral. Veterans will hold a service of remembrance at 10:45 am Saturday at the funeral centre.

Glad they are doing well and contributing well also! I would never have had the nerve and the confidence in my youth. Doesn't take a prophet to foresee this will be an experience that will be life changing and life enhancing, not only for them, but for many who they will effect (affect?) through their actions and choices.

Shout out to maeve and tl. Come settle for a little while by the warmth of the galley stove. There is aromatic herb tea in that pot covered by the cozy. Shall I pour a cup for you?

Apologies to all for my sporadic posts. As a good friend of mine said recently: "Life's been getting in the way of Life!"

Sandra...I need to write about the wonderful Music posts...give me a little more time, please.

ChanteyLass...my Granddaughter & her friend are currently in Peru. I wrote in an earlier post that they were doing a month's voluntary work, helping to build a school. It is actually an orphanage. They work in the mornings & play with the children in the afternoons. The Girls are both excellent sportswomen, enabling them to teach skills, establish purposeful training & best of all, have LOADS of fun with a large group of enthusiastic youngsters.

I will do my best to catch up with posting. I have neglected 'The Rainbow' of late...too much other 'stuff' getting in the way. Much Love to You All, Nigel. xxxxx

Pete - we're taking the same to workshop to the National Folk Festival at Easter as 3 daily sessions & expect lots of musicians!

We're also presenting a Family dance with musos ranging from 7 to 80 & all ages in between.

We're taking a few of our own 2nd generation members along - 2 brilliant fiddlers 13 & 15, 7-year old singer & multi-instrumentalist, 15 year old clarinetist, several dance callers late teens & twenties, 7-year old singer who is also a beginner fiddler,

a great time will be had.

sandra

ps. the grown up members also get gigs - Songs workshop, Tunes workshop & Colonial ball. Naturally the younger members are welcome at all gigs.

Roight! That one took. Maybe the other one couldn't make it though tha snow and tha gale. She's solid white by times. St. Pat drove the snakes out of Ireland. I wish he would fire up his snowblower and drive the snow out of NB.ca. I NEED some GREEN!

Buddy b'y. She's stove in here. Blowin a piece and snowin two. Nere movin outside a tha house cept ta scuff off in fronna Mum's back door on the side of her house that faces where a Nor'easter lays it's ugly egg every hour or so eh. Mine's on tha back and up at bridge level so she blows clean.

Have lifted my winter-weary spirits greatly this week with new music. Yesterday, I got our own Lonesome EJ's CD in the mail (it's great, by the way), and tonight J-boy and I went to see Anna (Roberts-Gevalt) & Elizabeth (LaPrelle) at a really nice little venue with great acoustics in Portland. It was great seeing the variety of ages in the audience, first folk concert I've been to where the majority of the audience may actually have been younger than me! I'll go to bed tonight with my head full of music.

Thanks for your last two posts, Maeve. The grief one can feel on the passing of a total stranger! The obit thread was started, I note, on 23 Feb, the very first day of a very hectic visit by me to Trinidad and Tobago. No wonder I missed it. RIP, Pearl.

Glad to help, Manuel. Moira and her husband live far from us yet are long-time friends.

Moira tells me that sadly, although not surprisingly, her good and dear friend Pearl, died about 2 weeks ago. Her husband Tony is coping and has loved ones to support him. Perhaps we can still offer thoughts and prayers on his behalf, as well as Moira and other friends who are grieving this loss.

Wendy- I suspected that you of all people would have tried the picture cards already- and it was worth trying! I hope you can find peace knowing that your health matters to all who love you. If I am sick, I'm on my own. Please accept appropriate care. You're still strong and capable even when you may need some caring yourself.